Additional Name(s): Базарбаев Марат Тукмурзаевич

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Sentence: 14 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: July/6/2021

Date of Sentencing: March/5/2024

Current Status: Not Released

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Religious Activity Religious Association

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Incitement to Commit Crime & Violence Terrorism

Marat Bazarbayev

Extra Bio Info:

Marat Bazarbayev is imprisoned for his religious activity and association.

On July 6, 2021, authorities arrested Bazarbayev after searching his home. Investigators accused him of creating a cell of the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir organization in Chelyabinsk, recruiting new members, and discussing religion, politics, and the oppression of Muslims. Bazarbayev was charged with “participating in the activities of an organization…recognized as terrorist” (Art. 205.5-2 RCC) and inciting others to commit terrorism  (Art. 205.1-1 RCC).

On March 5, 2024, the Central District Military Court of Yekaterinburg sentenced Bazarbayev to 14 years in prison for “participating in the activities of an organization…recognized as terrorist” (Art. 205.5-2 RCC) and inciting others to commit terrorism  (Art. 205.1-1 RCC).

Bazarbayev previously served six years in prison for his Hizb ut-Tahrir activities. 

Related Cases: Vadim Nasyrov

Publicly Available Information:

Additional Name(s): Ильясов Руслан Айратович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 19 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: June/16/2021

Date of Sentencing: December/9/2022

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Religious Activity Religious Association

Nature of Charges: Incitement to Commit Crime & Violence Terrorism

Ruslan Ilyasov

Extra Bio Info:

Ruslan Ilyasov is imprisoned for his religious activity and association.

In or around June 16, 2021, authorities in Kazan arrested Ilyasov after accusing him of leading a cell of the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir organization, holding meetings, studying its literature and ideology, recruiting new members, and collecting money for it.

On December 9, 2022, the Central District Military Court sentenced Ilyasov to 19 years in prison for "organizing the activities of an organization…recognized as terrorist" (Art. 205.5-1 RCC) and inciting others to commit terrorism  (Art. 205.1-1 RCC).

Publicly Available Information:

Additional Name(s): Petr Zhiltsov, Petr Alekseyevich Zhiltsov, Жильцов Пётр Алексеевич

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Appeal: Overturned

Sentence: Originally 6 Years, 1 Month's Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: February/27/2023

Date of Sentencing: February/27/2023

Date of Release: March/22/2024

Current Status: Released

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism Illicit Financing

Pyotr Zhiltsov

Extra Bio Info:

Pyotr Zhiltsov was imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On July 29, 2021, authorities in Yalta, Russian-occupied Crimea, Ukraine, detained Zhiltsov after accusing him of extremism tied to his religion.

In August 2021, Zhiltsov was placed under house arrest. 

On July 11, 2022, the Yalta City Court lifted Zhiltsov's house arrest.

On February 27, 2023, the Yalta City Court sentenced Zhiltsov to six years and one month in prison for “organizing the activities of a public or religious association or other organization in respect of which a court has adopted a final decision to liquidate or ban activities in connection with extremist activities” (Art. 282.2-1 RCC) and “collecting funds…intended to finance the organization, preparation and commission of at least one of the crimes of an extremist orientation, or to ensure the activities of an extremist community or an extremist organization” (Art. 282.3-1 RCC). Zhiltsov was taken into custody following the verdict. 

On March 22, 2024, the Supreme Court of Crimea overturned Zhiltsov's sentence and ordered a new trial. Zhiltsov was subsequently released from custody.

Related Cases: Taras Kuzio, Sergey Lyulin

Publicly Available Information:
Subscribe to